Wethersfield Boys Basketball Team Taking Big Steps

Wethersfield (5-3) already has more victories than in each of the past two seasons. The Eagles' boys basketball team finished 4-16 each year.

To gauge its improvement, look, ironically, at its last loss. Windsor, No. 2 in The Courant state ratings, beat Wethersfield last Friday 75-70.

Wethersfield trailed by 16 points after three quarters. It rallied to pull within 71-68 when Bryant Malloy was fouled on a three-point try with 17 seconds to go. He made the first two free throws and missed the third. Wethersfield was forced to foul, and Windsor made two free throws, stole an inbounds pass and scored a layup to account for the final score.

"Our players are hard-nosed on the court, do well in school and stay out of trouble," Wethersfield coach Brian Fanelli said. "We ask them to play for each other, and they do. Last year Windsor beat us 104-36. That we almost beat Windsor the other night says a lot."

The Eagles look to qualify for the Class L tournament for the first time since the 2008-09 season.

Goodwin's Stats Stuffer

Jensey Baez is filling up the Goodwin Tech-New Britain scorebook with field goals and free throws. On Wednesday night he had 31 points in an 88-53 victory against Wilcox Tech-Meriden.

That he's leading the 7-0 Gladiators with a 20.7 scoring average, shoots 68 percent on threes and 55 percent overall is impressive enough. That he stands 5 feet 3 and puts up such numbers says more. "He can do everything," coach Reuben Charles said. "He's quick, and shoots and drives with great balance."

Goodwin Tech has a force inside, too, in 6-1 senior Damion Hewett (15 rebounds and 13.7 points). "He can play defense, and he's one of the best rebounders around at his height," Charles said.

Newington Tightens 'D'

Since losing to Simsbury Jan. 2, Newington has improved its defense to defeat Farmington (40-37) and Hall-West Hartford (76-54). Hall scored only two points in the second quarter.

"We focused more and picked up our intensity," Newington coach Scot Wenzel said. "That's something we didn't do against Simsbury. We take a lot of pride in our man-to-man."

The Indians (6-2) are led by 6-3 forward Tim Blair, who scores inside and outside, rebounds and defends. "He had five assists against Hall," Wenzel said. "He's very unselfish. He's one of the most talented players I've coached in my 10 years here."

Bryant Morander anchors the paint, where he averages almost 10 rebounds a game. Adding to the team's balance is power forward Marcus Guadarrama, who can shoot the three and contributes a lot of intensity; perimeter shooter Zach Morris; and the director of the offense, point guard Mike Koss.

Bloomfield Getting Healthy

Bloomfield is getting healthy, which isn't good news for opponents of the Warhawks (5-2). Coach Gary Barcher said 6-5 center Steven Hardie is 75 to 80 percent after injuring his ankle last month. And 6-2 swingman D.J. Stewart is nursing a deep thigh bruise. Hardie had 15 points and 10 rebounds and Stewart eight and four in a win against Tolland Monday. Ten players scored against Tolland. Jordan Jennings, Bloomfield's scoring leader (14.9), had 14. ... Windsor starting center Jaquan Harrison (broken left foot) was a notable absence in the team's 51-48 overtime loss at East Catholic-Manchester Tuesday night. Tyrell Arnum, a 6-5 junior, scored 25 for East Catholic. East Catholic is 4-3 in the last seven regular-season meetings against Windsor. As for Harrison, coach Ken Smith said he's expected back in early February. ... Xavier's Tim Boyle is expected to be sidelined a few more weeks after spraining an ankle in the Art Kohs Tournament. The Falcons (5-3) miss him on the boards, where he averages 12 rebounds and seven points.